Music Theory Emphasis
Exploring How Music Works
What
is
music
theory?
It
is
the
detailed
exploration
of
what
makes
music
work,
how
sounds
can
be
put
together
in
rhythms,
chords
or
melodies
to
create
an
effect
on
the
listener.
Music
theorists
can
study
any
time
period
or
style
of
music.
Any
music
major
can
benefit
from
adding
a
music
theory
emphasis.
Whether
you
want
to
pursue
music
theory
as
a
profession,
to
understand
music
more
deeply
as
a
composer,
to
be
ready
to
teach
music
theory
at
a
secondary
school
level
or
to
know
more
about
how
your
favorite
pieces
work,
a
music
theory
emphasis
may
be
for
you.
Career Opportunities
Music theorists will often pursue careers in higher education, composition or arranging. Many performers are asked to teach music theory courses as part of their teaching portfolio, as are music educators at the secondary level. All musicians can benefit from understanding the mechanics of the pieces they are teaching, playing, writing or conducting.
Curriculum
The music history emphasis consists of an introduction to research, several upper-level music theory courses and the departmental seminar of the academic studies department.
Required Courses
- MUC 329 - Introduction to Research in Music, 2 credit hours
- MUC 363/463 - Music Theory Seminar, 4 credit hours
- MUC 412 - Music Academic Studies Seminar, 0 credit hours
Six Elective Credits
- MUA 213 - Counterpoint, 2 credit hours
- MUA 310 - Advanced Chromatic Theory, 2 credit hours
- MUA 320 - Advanced Chromatic Aural Skills, 2 credit hours
- MUA 330 - Form and Analysis, 2 credit hours
- MUA 410 - Theory of Music Since 1900, 2 credit hours
- MUA 420 - Post-Tonal Aural Skills, 2 credit hours
Learn more about these courses in the University catalog.
Student Experiences
Students in the music theory emphasis program are strongly encouraged to take advantage of numerous opportunities for independent research at BW, including:
- The BW Summer Scholars Program
- The Riemenschneider Bach Institute Scholars program
- Faculty-Student Collaborative courses
Faculty Coordinators
Dr.
Christina
Fuhrmann
Chair,
Academic
Studies
Department
cfuhrman@bw.edu
Dr.
Jessica
Narum
Coordinator,
Music
History
and
Music
Theory
Emphasis
Programs
jnarum@bw.edu